US Hails Qatar as Beacon of Western-Arab Relations

Qatar’s Education City is a prime example of the flourishing partnership and dialogue between the US and the Muslim world, a US official has said, suggesting also that the Arab Spring signals positive vibes for the future of Arabs vis a vis the West.

Qatar’s Education City is a prime example of the flourishing partnership and dialogue between the US and the Muslim world, a senior US official has said.

Kathleen Stephens, acting under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs and former ambassador to South Korea, made the observation. On her first visit of Qatar[2] earlier in the week, she engaged a group of students from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service - Qatar in Education City in a conversation about American public diplomacy in the Arab and Muslim world.

Arab Spring signals positive relations

Stephens commended Qatar’s leadership[3] for the foresight and vision to build the country as a centre of learning and culture in the region[4] and as a leader in promoting interfaith dialogue. Expressing her hopes for the future she noted, “We have witnessed immense change in the region from Tunisia, to Egypt to Libya and we continue to look for ways to help unlock the region’s potential and realise its hopes for change. “As a committed global leader the US looks to accelerate work to develop stronger bonds with partners in the public and private sector along with the people themselves. “We want to work with civil society, business leaders, religious communities, women and minorities in Qatar and in the Middle East.”

Stephens answered questions about American foreign policy from Latin America, Greece to Israel and Iran. The event was hosted on behalf of Georgetown SFS-Q by associate dean for academic affairs Dr Daniel C Stoll, who observed that Stephens offered insights for students into the issues confronting diplomats around the world and how they affect relations between countries. Other attendees from the US embassy in Doha included cultural affairs officer Erica Chiusano, who also represented the State Department. Georgetown SFS-Q professors Mark Farha and Gary Wasserman and assistant dean for academic Affairs Anne Nebel were also present.

How do you feel about Qatar's leading role and relations with the West and on a related note even Israel[5]? Does Qatar risk alienating the Arab world by its overtures and open channels or partnerships with the US? Are you proud of Qatar's bridging gaps and pioneering education par excellence?